Fantasy Football: 5 Waiver Wire Pickups for the Week 4 Bye

Before you jump to conclusions and say, "We're not even in Week 3 yet," quality fantasy owners know that the waiver wire is key to fantasy success. So scooping players before they make a huge fantasy dent is vital.

I wrote a few weeks ago that C.J. Spiller would be a star for your fantasy team if you had the wherewithal to pick him up before he used his elite sprinter speed to trash the defenses of the Jets and Chiefs. Well, you're welcome.

Now, with two teams entering bye week in the not-too-distant future (Indianapolis and Pittsburgh), it is of considerable importance to select the right guys off the wire...and at the right time.

Here are five pickups that you need to pick up to have success going forward:

Daryl Richardson

Even after he put up 102 total yards and thundering in for a two-point conversion Sunday, some fantasy owners still don't know Daryl Richardson's name. They are stuck on the Isaiah Pead bandwagon still. You know, the one who is now behind Richardson in backing up Steven Jackson.

So why did Richardson receive so much time on the field?

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Take a seat S-Jax

Other than spiking the ball to the ground after a failed touchdown, which for sure ticked off head coach Jeff Fisher, Jackson also tweaked his groin during the play. Fisher proceeded to "bench" the savvy veteran. Fisher later said that Jackson could have returned to the game if needed, but felt more comfortable resting him rather then risk an injury.

People think that the 29-year-old Jackson's days as a primetime back are behind him. They may be right since the Rams have ran Jackson close to 1,000 times over the past three seasons. Or the Rams have chosen to use Jackson more wisely, much to do with his "decrepit" age at running back.

Whatever the case is, Richardson will be a hot commodity this week but will be facing a tough rushing defense in Chicago, slowing down his value. In turn, Richardson will most likely be available again after next week's waiver process begins.

At this point, Richardson will be a decent flex option for those who may be caught in a quagmire with running back depth.

Danny Amendola

Wow, look at all these St. Louis Rams players! Do they look like the '99 Rams?

OK, now forget it. That is not going to happen again. At least with these guys.

But what you can expect are solid numbers, especially from Wes Welker-lite.

Danny Amendola racked up 15 catches for 160 yards and a touchdown (on 16 targets) against the Washington Redskins Sunday. That gives the sneaky quick Amendola 20 catches through two games this season.

Amendola is absolutely the go-to guy for the Rams receiving corps. He and quarterback Sam Bradford have had this type of connection before, but the chemistry was blown last season due to a triceps injury to Amendola.

The only problem is Amendola goes as Bradford does. The young quarterback is in the midst of his third season, and although talented, he is incredibly inconsistent. So it is unrealistic to expect anything close to 16 targets a game. Hell, it is unlikely he'll draw 10 consistently, but the Rams have a beat-up offensive line so Fisher may want to get the ball out of Bradford's hands as soon as possible.

Amendola will not be a top-10 wide receiver by any means, but will be a great waiver wire add, especially in PPR-leagues. In standard, Amendola is a solid flex, borderline No. 2.

Scott Chandler

Chandler had two catches for 53 yards and a touchdown against the Chiefs Sunday. That gives Chandler a touchdown in two straight games this season.

Does that seem like déjà vu?

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Beastmode

Well, that is because Chandler had a similar run last season, when he scored four touchdowns in his first three games.

Chandler has excellent size at 6'7", making him a very solid red-zone option for fantasy owners. And with Antonio Gates and Aaron Hernandez hurting, you could much worse than Chandler.

He is worth adding as a bye week candidate and will be a borderline starting TE for the rest of the fantasy season.

Donnie Avery

Remember this guy, fantasy fans?

Way back in 2009, Avery was seen as a "Super Sleeper" with (none other than) the Rams. Unfortunately, injuries have curtailed his career almost every year since.

Fast-forward to Sunday, when Avery went for 111 yards on nine receptions. He didn't put it in the end zone like he did the week prior, but Andrew Luck looked his way early and often.

This season, Avery has totaled 12 receptions for 148 yards and a touchdown. While Avery will most likely not continue his impressive success, he will continue to get starts. He has game-breaking speed (although slowed down a tad due to injuries) and good hands.

With so many options (yes, I said it, Colts fans) for Luck to throw to, he will continue to gain chemistry with his receiving corps and be comfortable throwing it in Avery's direction.

No, this is not signifying the end of Wes Welker as a fantastic fantasy option. It is, though, signifying a semblance of fantasy worth for the young Patriots receiver.

As Aaron Hernandez will miss time due to a balky ankle, Edelman will get even more time on the field. It is the "all hands on deck" type of feel in Patriotland.

Overtaking Welker? (h/t FoxSports)

Surprisingly, Edelman started the game over the glue-handed Welker. He ended up playing 75 snaps on the game, compared to Welker's 63.

Welker did outproduce the fourth-year player, however, gathering 95 yards on five catches.

Edelman? Five catches for 50 yards.

Tom Brady is known for spreading the ball out, and with Hernandez out until at least October, both players will be important to the Patriots. More importantly (for some), it will mean more targets for Edelman.

He'll be a solid No. 2 receiver for at least the next month for fantasy owners.

Moral of the story folks?

Watch the waiver wire and look ahead for future matchups and byes, as you'll have the edge on the other owners for sure.